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Sunday, August 9, 2015

Product Empties #3: Makeup, Beauty, Skincare and Health + #Reviews

My last empties post was back in June. If you missed it you can check it out by clicking here.

I love seeing what people have used up (or not) and what they thought of the products after using them up. I have a lot, so I will try and be brief with my reviews. I hope you enjoy this post and find some of it helpful.

Makeup

Covergirl Clump Crusher- It was a good mascara but not I'm in love. I would rather spend $2.99 on Jordana's Best Lash Extreme.

100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Lip & Cheek Tint- These are a great all natural product. I only used them as blush though and I enjoyed them but I rarely reached for them. Like a lot of people, I tend to neglect my cream products. These came in 3 pack, purchased back around 2009. I know cream products aren't supposed to last that long but these seem okay (no funky smell etc.) However, I decided that I'm only keep the one that I do reach for, and get rid of these two that I never wear, especially since they're so old.

Wet n Wild's Wild Shine Nail Colour- These don't have name's on them, just numbers. They have separated to the point where even if I shake them up they stay separated. I have repurchased the pink colour as I love that one!

Wet n Wild Coverall Pressed Powder (light/medium)- I really liked this powder and it's only about $2.99. I used this daily over my BB creams. Although I initially love the finish (more dewy, less matte) I do find that in a short time I look shiny and my pores become very visible. I am now testing out a loose powder by ELF to see if that works better for me. My HG (holy grail) powder for flawless/poreless skin is by Doris Dalton, but I save that one for special occasions as it's very pricey.

Sonia Kashuk Lash and Brow Enhancer- I only used this on my brows, to groom them and keep them in place. I paid only about $1 at Target's liquidation sale here in Canada. I would not buy it at it's regular price (approx $7 or $8). I will stick to my Elf Clear Brow Gel for $2, and you get two sides to use with the Elf one.

Elf Lip Balm Tint-I bought this in the colour Nude and found it too orange for my liking. I did like the feel of it so I would consider purchasing it in another colour. For only $2, you can't beat the price. I do prefer Elf's Nice & Natural Nude Lip Balm from their Studio line for $3, it's a much better nude for me, a pinky-brown.

LA Colors Lip Gloss Swirl- I found this at the Dollar Store and thought for only $1 I'd give it a try. It's super sticky, thick and unnatural looking- so it's going bye-bye.

Skincare

Balea 3 in 1 Cleansing Cloths- This is a brand carried by Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada. It's a good value if you pick it up when it's on sale. I usually grab some when they're on sale for $7.99, and it comes with 2 packs of 56 wipes. These and Costco's Kirkland wipes are both my go-to makeup remover wipes. Sometimes, I'll just use them as a quick cleanse when I'm too tired for the whole wash my face routine. They are gentle and work really well.

George's Always Active Aloe Spray Mister- This is holy grail for me! I've been using it for years and can't go without it. At less than $6 for 8 oz, it's a great deal too. It comes out as a super fine mist so it feels great and one bottle will last a good while. It's very soothing and hydrating and has so many uses. I use it when layering my skin care, to set my makeup and to hydrate or soothe my skin anytime.

Pure + Simple Algae Serum- This is another holy grail product for me. I do prefer Pure + Simple's Collagen Elastin Plus serum, but that is much pricier and not currently in the budget. This algae serum is a great serum for all skin types. It hydrates and soothes my dehydrated and acne prone skin, and prepares it for my moisturizer.

Vichy Idealia Life Serum- I received this product for trial purposes from Chick Advisor ( a great place to look up reviews and test out products for free). This is a great serum for sensitive, acne prone, and aging skin. I didn't have any sensitivity or breakouts from it and it was very hydrating. I probably would not purchase just because of the price and I used it up quite quickly.

Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Replenishing Moisturizer- I found this product very hydrating but it seemed rather basic other than that. It got the job done in terms of hydration but if you want the bells and whistles this didn't seem to have any. This was my first experience with PC. I found a $10 off coupon on another Blogger's website so I thought I would give it a try. If you want to give Paula's Choice a try, here is a $10 off coupon: Paula's Choice $10 off Coupon

Home Health Goji Berry Eye Cream- This is another holy grail product for me. At only $11 for a whole ounce of product it's a great buy. Not only that, but after trying countless eye creams from high end to drugstore, this one works the best for me, and it's the only eye cream that actually made a difference on my crows feet!

Body care

Avalon Organics Hand & Body Lotion- I get this product in the Ylang Ylang scent every summer. I start to crave the scent of this at the beginning of every spring. In the winter I get the same product in the lavender scent. This is another holy grail product for me. I've been using it for years. It's very hydrating without being greasy at all and my skin just drinks it in. I find that it gets rid of those pesky bumps on the back of my arms with regular use. My only gripe is that Iherb keeps raising the price of it, it's now about $9 for 12 oz. I guess I shouldn't really complain seeing as I only go through 2 bottles a year.

Andalou Naturals Argan + Mint Age Defying Lip Remedy- I was so excited to try this product out. Andalou Naturals is a great brand with great products. I have horribly dry lips all year and this lip treatment is chocked full of great ingredients it even uses fruit stem cell science. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed with it. It wore off very quickly and it didn't do anything for the look or feel of my dry/dehydrated lips. At $7 for 12 ml I was definitely expecting a lot more.

Aquaphor Healing Ointment by Eucerin- This works great on my dry lips. I always go back to this one and and love to slather it on at bedtime. It's even great in the cold winter months. $5.99 for 2 tubes isn't bad, especially because it works! I would love to find something natural that works as well.

Health

Nature's Answer Rhodiola 100mg- This is a great adaptogen; meaning it helps the body adapt in times of stress. It's also the only thing I've found that prevents me from waking up at 5 am every morning and not being able to go back to sleep. I've tried other brands and doses and this is the one that works for me. At $11 for 60 veg caps ( I take one a day), it's worth it's weight in gold!

Hugo Naturals Calming French Lavender Mist- I use this every night to spray my pillows before bed. I also use it to spray the bathroom when I'm having a bath or just want to create a spa-like, calming environment. It's only $2 for 2 Oz's, so you can't beat the price. I plan on re-purposing the bottle and making my own lavender mist since I happen to have some pure lavender essential oil on hand. (DIY Tip: add 30 drops of your favourite essential oil to 2oz of water, shake, and voila, your homemade essential oil mist).

Cococare 100% Tea Tree Oil- I've already repurchase this. It's the best deal on Tea Tree oil that I've found. I love to use it in my bath, it only takes a few drops (don't use too much or it will burn your behind- trust me). It's also good to have on hand for any type of skin issues, from bug bites, acne, feet issues and more. You can read more about Tea Tree oil on Wikipedia here.

Now Foods Xyliwhite Neem & Tea Tree Toothpaste- I chose to stay away from fluoride years ago and have been using this line of toothpaste ever since. My dental check ups have also improved since I switched to this Xyliwhite line. I'll definitely be sticking to this product even though it's pricier than your average tube of fluoride ridden toothpaste. But, it's totally worth it!

I feel like I've been collecting my empties forever, I was just waiting to finish up a few last products before posting this. Thank goodness I can now throw everything in the recycling bin!

I love reading empties posts or watching empties videos. If you have one to share let me know so I can come over and have a look.

ps. Come on over to a fabulousandfunlife to share your beauty post and/or find some other great beauty blogs!

Amy

*note: All products were purchased by me unless otherwise stated. Some links are affiliate links

So true! But, I'm still always tempted that I'll find something new that's better. That's how these companies get us coming back for more and more, until we have so much we don't know what to do with it all! But it's all in good fun! :D

It's a shame you weren't really into the Paula's Choice Moisturizer. I've been using the PC Resist Retinol Serum which is fantastic and the PC Clear Kit Extra Strength and it's the only thing that's cleared up my breakouts, so I love the brand. I'll stay away from their moisturiser! lol :)

It was a good moisturizer. I guess I like more treatment products in my moisturizer. Someday I'll try something else from her range. But if someone's looking for just a moisturizer, the one I tried did the job. :)

Lots of great empties!! I have to look for the George's aloe mist. I have that same brand of aloe water that I drink, but I've never seen the mist! I have that same PC moisturizer, and it is basic, but it's my go-to when my skin is feeling dry and delicate. I like the retinol cream from Paula's Choice as well, if you want something with some actives! :)

The pc moisturizer isn't worth it for me since I live in Canada. The cost of shipping and they charge me duties/taxes. So for something so basic I'll stick to something else. I do get Retin-A bu rx, so it doesn't cost me anything! I'd love to find other anti-aging ingredients like peptides, Dmae etc. ;)

Thanks, so glad you found my reviews helpful! If you want to try a new serum, my #1 HG is Pure + Simple's Collagen Elastin Plus. Nothing as good as that stuff but it's really pricey. But worth it if you can afford it xo